Boxing

LAWRENCE OKOLIE has LOST his WBO cruiserweight title to Chris Billam-Smith tonight in Bournemouth.Billlam-Smith knocked the former champion down THREE times, and Okolie had two point deductions during the bout.
Okolie declared after the fight that he WILL activate his rematch clause to fight next for the WBO cruiserweight title.

Result: Chris Billam-Smith def. Lawrence Okolie
TV Channel: Sky Sports Boxing
Live stream: NOW

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Okolie appreciates Billam-Smith performance
Lawrence Okolie was full of praise for the fight Chris Billam-Smith put on this evening to strip him of his cruiserweight title.
Having never been knocked down before, he was sent to the canvas on three occasions by the hometown hero.
While he realised he was bested tonight, he plans to bounce back and work towards winning his title back.
Credit: Reuters
Okolie activates rematch clause
Lawrence Okolie has announced that he plans to activate the rematch clause in his contract from tonight’s fight.
He immediately planned to try and win his cruiserweight belt back from Chris Billam-Smith.
No news on any dates planned but we will be seeing these two boxers go at it once again.
Billam-Smith wins world title
You could see how much it meant to Chris Billam-Smith as he won the cruiserweight title in front of his home crowd.
Everyone at the Vitality Stadium enjoyed every round of his fight as he looked to dethrone the champ.
As the result confirmed his win, he dropped to his knees as you could see just how much it meant after all of the hard work he put into this fight.
Credit: PA
Credit: Reuters
Okolie gracious in defeat
You have to give credit where it is due, Lawrence Okolie has been a good loser in this fight.
Congratulating Billam-Smith for his performance and victory was admirable.
In the post fight interview he tells the crowd how Billam-Smith was a worthy winner this evening.
Chris Billam-Smith wins by majority decision
Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith – R12
As we enter the last round, Okolie continues to grab and wrestle his opponent.
It almost seems that he knows he is unable to take the punch from Billam-Smith and needs to grapple with him instead.
Okolie needs to do something here to stand a chance of any scorecard going in his favour.
He goes a big right hand over the top but it does not have the connection he was hoping for.
The bells rings and Billam-Smith celebrates like he thinks he is now a world champion.
Credit: PA
Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith – R11
Okolie comes out of his corner throwing punches, looking to go on the forward offensive.
He seems to know with those two knockdowns that he has it all to do.
Billam-Smith has a cut above his eye that is bleeding.
He suffered that earlier in the fight but the Vaseline has come off and and it is bleeding once again.
Just at the end of the round, Billam-Smith lands a left and Okolie loses his balance and goes to the canvas and is counted once again.
Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith – R10
The referee has a word with the corner of Okolie for a third time, he is not happy with what he is shouting into the ring.
As Okolie comes into Billam-Smith he manages to land a big left with causes them champion to drop to the canvas.
Once again he faces the count from the ref.
Okolie lands a big right and follows it up but Billam-Smith takes the punishment.
A far more attacking round there but the hometown hero may have just edged the round once again.
Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith – R9
Okolie continues to lead with the jab and come in for the hold on his opponent.
He seems as though he is trying to grind down his opponent.
Okolie throws a big right but Billam-Smith manages to step back from it.
The champion is putting his body weight into Billam-Smith, trying to ensure that he cannot box from that position.
This a tight one to call at the moment in terms of scorecards.
Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith – R8
Okolie comes out in this round, looking to throw more attacking blows.
In the first minute of the round he shows more of the form of someone currently holding the belt.
Billam-Smith seems happy to absorb the onslaught.
Okolie reverts to leading into the clinch with his shoulder.
He is trying to push his opponent into the corner over and over again.
Credit: PA
Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith – R7
Okolie is starting to test the patience of the referee here.
Billam-Smith is constantly complaining of how much Okolie is grabbing him.
We are seeing less boxing, far more of the champ just grabbing his opponent and preventing him from punching.
Okolie has another point taken from him.
The referee tells him that he really needs to tidy up his game.
Very untidy round that one.
Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith – R6
Billam-Smith seems to be biding his time, knowing the distance this fight could go.
Okolie is landing punches to the back of the head all too often.
He seems to be leading with the shoulder whenever he comes in.
The referee is speaking with Lawrence Okolie once again.
Billam-Smith lands a good left on the face of the champ to end the round.
Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith – R5
Billam-Smith is growing in confidence as the fight goes on.
He needs to capitalise on the damage he did to the champ in the last round.
The fans inside the Vitality Stadium sing ‘he’s one of our own’.
Okolie has a point deducted by the referee, it is all going wrong for the defending champion.
Credit: Getty
Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith – R4
Okolie seems keen to wrestle his opponent as well as box him.
He is dominating the round when out of nowhere, Billam-Smith drops the champion to the canvas.
It is the first time he has ever been dropped to the canvas.
The champion is struggling, his legs seem weak, that hit has hurt him.
That left hand counter by Billam-Smith rattled Okolie as it sent him crashing to the canvas.
Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith – R3
The referee warns Okolie as he finally has enough of the tactic of punching the back of the head of his opponent in the clinch.
Okolie is getting more shots in but they are not breaching the defence of Billam-Smith.
He works the body whenever the chance arises.
When they are in the clinch, Okolie seems to be holding the arms of his opponent to prevent punches from coming at him.
Credit: Getty
Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith – R2
If Billam-Smith did not know the size of the task at hand, he is learning the hard way.
Whether it be a body shot or a jab, Okolie has so much power behind his punches.
Billam-Smith looks to fight back and lands a left on the jaw of the champ as they are in a clinch.
The fighters are falling into each other all too often, Billam-Smith’s corner are not happy with the tactics of the champion.
Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith – R1
It is a very rowdy atmosphere in the Vitality Stadium.
They want to see their man upset the odds here tonight.
Both fighters land early body punches.
Okolie seems happy to get into the clinch and land some kidney punches.
The champion manages to land a heavy shot to the head that rocks his opponent.
Credit: Reuters
Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith
Okolie walks out with a message
Lawrence Okolie tells the crowd via the screens that he is a champion and there is no chance that Chris Billam-Smith is taking anything from him this evening.
He is coming into the lion’s den, Billam-Smith’s backyard.
The home faithful let him know what they think as he walks into the ring.
Ringwalks begin for main event
We are going to see the clash that decides the WBO Cruiserweight champion of the world this evening.
Chris Billam-Smith walks out to Adele ‘Hometown Glory’.
He looks psyched for this opportunity he has in front of him.
Vitality Stadium bouncing for fight
It has been a while since they have had such an atmosphere here.
This is a fantastic venue for tonight’s showcard.
All the spectators are itching to see this main event as Oasis bellows out from the speakers, everyone singing Wonderwall.
Main event about to get started
Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith is the fight everyone has been waiting for this evening and it is next.
Okolie is the heavy favourite with the bookies for this fight but anything can happen in the ring with two contenders like this.
This should be a good one.
Eggington celebrates stoppage win
The series of punches he landed, really ended this fight in some style.
Pigford had no answer to what he had to offer.
He certainly answered some questions there with that display.
Credit: Getty
Pigford vs Eggington – R5
Well that fight really exploded in that round.
Eggington was like a man possessed as he got a punch through the defence of Pigford which really hurt him.
He landed a combo of punches and Pigford was really out on his feet.
The referee stepped in and stopped the fight as his lights seemed out.
Eggington wins by TKO
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MICHAEL CONLAN was knocked out by a brutal uppercut from Luis Alberto Lopez in the fifth round as the Mexican retains the IBF featherweight title.The Irishman had the home advantage this evening but failed to succeed in his quest to become world champion.
Lopez successfully defended his featherweight title for the first time since becoming champion.

Result: Lopez def. Conlan (KO5)
TV Channel: BT Sport 1
Live stream: BT Sport app

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Report
Mick Conlan suffered a devastating loss to Luis Alberto Lopez in Belfast tonight.
Champion Lopez knocked out Conlan in the fifth as he retained the IBF World featherweight title in front of boisterous SSE Arena crowd.
The Falls Road man’s came out to a rapturous reception from the Belfast crowd but it wasn’t to be in his second attempt to win a world title.
And the hometown hero came out pumped on the attack as the opening round started at a furious pace.
Both landed crisp shots on one another as they varied their offence with solid jabs and body shots with both men having their moments in a close opener.
The SSE Arena erupted in the second round as Conlan fought superbly off the front foot, and landed a huge overhand right as he pilled the pressure on Lopez.
In the third round, the 31-year-old 2012 Olympic bronze medal winner ate a huge right uppercut, followed by a left hook that staggered him badly with 60 seconds left in the the third round as the Mexican upped the pace.
But somehow Conlan managed to survive the round despite being on rubbery legs after some huge shots.
The superb and powerful Lopez proceeded to up the tone as he planted more shots on the Irishman in the forth round, landing some huge shots with a varied repertoire.
29-year-old Lopez took the forth as he came more and more into the fight with Conlan struggling badly as his face swelled up.
The Mexicali ace clearly sniffed a finish as his precise strikes constantly found a home, and like that it was over as the champion ended the fight at 1:14 of the fifth round.
Lopez planted a huge shot on Conlan as the Belfast man crashed to the canvas.
Immediately after the devastating right-uppercut landed, Conlan’s coach Adam Booth threw in the towel as the fight was waived off.
Mexico now hold a 10-2 advantage over Irish fighters in world title bouts after Lopez retained his crown.
It’s a huge blow from the 2012 Olympian as he lost out in his previous world title attempt after being knocked out by Leigh Wood in Nottingham last year.
No Joshing
Josh Warrington has called for a rematch with Lopez.
He tweeted: “I’d f****g love to run it back with Lopez… I hope Mick is ok.”
Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Conlan vs Lopez
Michael Conlan’s homecoming world title challenge ends in heartache as he’s knocked out in round five.
A right uppercut put the Northern Irishman down and Adam Booth was quick to throw the towel in.
Luis Alberto Lopez retains his title in another win following his victory over Josh Warrington.
Credit: Sportsfile
Conlan vs Lopez
CONLAN IS KNOCKED OUT!
A big right uppercut put Conlan flat on his back and trainer Adam Booth was quick to throw the towel in.
Brutal stoppage and Lopez retains his title, with Conlan suffering his second KO loss.
Conlan vs Lopez
Big round for the champion Lopez, who had Conlan hurt.
A couple of big shots, the uppercut and hook most notably, had Conlan staggered but the challenger survived the onslaught.
Let’s see how Conlan responds after weathering the storm.
Conlan vs Lopez
Cracking start to the fight, with both men finding success.
Conlan boxing largely out of the southpaw stance let off some fast combinations go.
But Lopez refused to let up and also came back fighting. Tight round to score.
On there way
Michael Conlan is now making his way to the ring.
Not long to go until the Olympian challenges for the world title in front of his home crowd.
Final touches
Michael Conlan pictured putting the final touches into his preparation before the night’s headline act.
Ringwalks were due for 9pm to prevent a clash with Leigh Wood and Lawrence Okolie’s title fight but we’re an hour behind schedule.
It is due to medical staff tending to Ludumo Lamati, who was injured and stretchered out after being stopped by Nick Ball in the co-headliner.

Main event NEXT
Michael Conlan challenges for Luis Alberto Lopez’s IBF featherweight title NEXT.
Lopez won the title in an upset against Leeds’ Josh Warrington in December.
Conlan was beaten by Leigh Wood – also fighting tonight – in March 2022 but he has bounced back with two wins since.
Credit: Rex
Ball over
Nick Ball has won in the 12th and final round after a brutal onslaught that left Ludumo Lamati collapsed.
Ball came on strong, bullying Lamati back to the ropes and throwing a barrage of punches.
Lamati’s corner threw in the towel after the boxer collapsed and he is now being treated to.
Credit: Sportsfile
Ball to play for
Nick Ball is in charge after nine rounds gone.
At the moment, he’s on course for a points win and already the Irish fans are making themselves heard.
Michael Conlan in the ring next.
Credit: Sportsfile
Ty-me to fight
Tyson Fury’s promoter has confirmed an offer has been made to fight Anthony Joshua.
It is the latest twist in a long-running saga involving the heavyweight pair.
The Gypsy King revealed he had sent AJ an offer for the overdue fight that fell through most recently when targeted for December last year.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn pushed back against the claim but Fury’s promoter George Warren has now confirmed an offer has been sent.
He released a statement for Queensberry Promotions saying: “Spoke with Tyson on Monday, obviously on the back of knowing that Usyk vs Wilder was going to be happening and we were preparing a bid.
“The question was put to us; what fights are out there, what are the biggest fights we can make?
“AJ’s name came up in that conversation of course it would, it’s a huge fight. And the instruction was clear – go and try and make that fight.
“The following morning we put an email over to Eddie [Hearn]. Made a formal offer, same terms as for December. So exactly the same terms as far as we’re concerned.
“We’re ready to go, Tyson wants it to happen, so do we and I hope they do too.”

Ball to prove
Featherweight prospect Nick Ball returns next against South African Ludumo Lamati.
Ball is currently 17-0 with 10 KOs and fancies the winner of tonight’s main event.
He said: “That is the place I am going, the level I am going, which is world leve.
“If I get the opportunity to fight the winner I will take it with both hands.
“I’m made up, it is a good card to be on, with it being a world title at my weight.
“Although obviously I am concentrating on my fight, putting a good performance in and trying to steal the show.”
Credit: Jamie McPhilimey
Ant messing
Anthony Cacace moves to 21-1 with victory over Damian Wrzesinski.
The southpaw super-featherweight took victory over 12 rounds to retain the IBO title.
Credit: Sportsfile
Ty faker
Tyson Fury has NOT sent Anthony Joshua a contract for a September fight.
The 34-year-old WBC Gypsy King has been in Australia promising a couple of fights with unknowns Down Under.
And he has now claimed he has sent 33-year-old AJ an offer for the overdue fight that fell through most recently when targeted for December 3.
AJ promoter Eddie Hearn has the O2 booked for August 12 and is working on a December clash with Deontay Wilder in Saudi and – while he has spoken to Fury matchmaker George Warren – Fury has not made a firm offer.
Hearn said: “I don’t want to ruffle anyone’s feathers but I don’t want someone making Anthony Joshua look bad for no reason.”
Credit: EPA
Fight night
Michael Conlan returns in Belfast to challenge for the IBF featherweight world title.
Conlan was knocked out by Leigh Wood for the WBA “regular” title last year but has won two fights since.
And he will tonight challenge for the full world title against Luis Alberto Lopez, who beat Josh Warrington in December.

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